Love Comes In Really Small Packages

How can someone so small sap the strength of the strongest man. Nothing compares to the ability of a newborn baby to liquefy the heart of a father or grandfather. There is something intangible about a baby that affirms love with complete precision.

After the baby shower I took in the collection of girls baby bedding and other newborn booty. I felt like the kid that gets presents filled with educational toys. Where’s the figure eight racecar track. Obviously babies were a giant yawn because I was surrounded by gifts that cried ‘practical’ rather than ‘party’.

My eyes surveyed the room. The britax car seat was swamped with torn open paper and ribbons. My wife eased into a stuffed chair next to another pile of colorful boxes. She allowed me one of her patented half-amused smiles. I fell in love with her again that very moment.

I started blogging my feelings about fatherhood late that night. You know you’re about to be a ‘Dad’ when you are actually admiring bedding collections. I described the night I went to bed and felt something under my pillow. I pulled out a small book with lists of baby names. There was a card inside addressed to ‘Daddy’ and signed with love from Mommy and Harmony. I wanted this to be a gift of a father’s feelings a year from now.

I realized that it would someday belong to my daughter. I believe I tried to put some personal philosophy into my words at that point. I am not too profound so I my advice was pretty much centered around the golden rule. I wrote about little things like making sure the doors are locked at night, the burners are off on the stove, and don’t leave water running.

I skipped race relations, politics, and the heavy stuff in favor of useful information. I advised that she always chew food with her mouth shut. I suggested she live within her means and save money. Nothing earth shaking but reminiscent of my parents code.

It was never a great literary masterpiece or wisdom for the ages. But when I celebrated the one year birthday of my granddaughter I was surprised to see that journal reappear. My daughter and wife were revisiting it. My wife pointed out the one thing I wrote that she said made her cry. The first words are: ‘I am putting pen to paper in the name of love…’